After the mild days for this time of year, we have been smacked down with a blistering cold.
I hate being cold.
I was born in January, yet it's the worst time of year in my opinion. Go figure!
There is one thing I like about Winter. The only thing I look forward to when it's 20 degrees outside.
It's my afternoon tea. I love my steaming hot cup of tea! My favorite flavor is peppermint but a traditional black one with a slice of lemon will make me happy too. 🙂
I do start with coffee every morning, despite the season, but every Winter afternoon - I have tea.
I wanted to make a sweet bread that would go well with my tea. Aaaaaand because it's January, and we are supposed to have healthy food ( who said that? ), or at least healthier, I came up with this combo: carrots, orange and of course cranberries. ( Didn't you know I still have 5 bags of cranberries in my freezer? ).
To really get the orange flavor through, I grated zest from two oranges. It was perfect!
Knowing that I could ( and probably will ) inhale a whole loaf myself, I decided to make a double recipe - for two loafs. Hey, you can always share with your neighbors! 🙂 Right?
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Anyhow, if you enjoy an afternoon with a cup of something hot ( be it tea or coffee ), you need this bread to go with it. Trust me, you do.
Cranberry Orange and Carrot Bread
makes 2 loafs
3 ½ c all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 ½ c grated carrots
zest of 2 oranges
1 cup of frozen cranberries ( cut big ones in half )
1 c sugar
4 eggs, slightly beaten
½ c canola oil
¼ c milk
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease your loaf pans with shortening or spray with cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk dry ingredients together ( flour, baking powder, soda, salt and cinnamon ).
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the rest of ingredients and mix by hand using wooden spoon or spatula.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix gently, do not over mix.
Divide batter among your prepared pans. Bake 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool for few minutes in a pan and then invert onto a cutting board. Cool completely before cutting.
Do you have a favorite tea flavor?
What do you like to have with your tea?
Please, feel free to share!
Jessie-CookingMoments says
Wow,great recipe, will mark this down & try later!You have a nice blog!
Loveforfood says
That close up shots are making me to grab food from the screen....so drool worthy
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
🙂 Thank you so much!
sweetpeaskitchen.com says
I hate this time of year too, but this bread definitely reminds me of spring. Looks great!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
That's great! Thank you so much!
Asmita says
Love this bread and the combination of flavors is just incredible. Will have to bake it someday!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I would love to hear from you if you give it a try! Thanks!
Angie's Recipes says
A beautiful loaf of bread. I would love a few slices with a pot of hot tea!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you, Angie!
Maggie says
I love a warm drink in my hands and a delicious pastry sitting beside me. So cozy. We're bracing for a big winter storm here and this bread would be the perfect snowy day baking project. Mmm...comforting and delicious! I hate being cold too and am so ready for some warm sun on my face. Have a beautiful day Anna!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Stay warm, Maggie! Hugs!
Katie says
This looks pretty and delicious...XoXo
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you, Katie!
Nicole says
This looks delicious! Going to try and make this!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you, Nicole! Let me know how you like it!
S.V. says
I love the bright flecks of red from the cranberries. This bread looks so tasty. I love to drink afternoon tea in the fall and winter with a spot of milk and honey. This would certainly be the perfect pairing.
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I am totally with you 🙂 Thank you, S.V.!
Lizzy says
You and I are kindred spirits...except I drink tea all day long to keep warm. We actually hit 50º today...unheard of for January! I love your bread...less guilt eating a few slices of this compared with some carrot cake 🙂
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
We must be living close to each other - we have the same temperatures and weather! I hope you will give this bread a try - it's goooood! Hugs!